A bomb destroys Garak's tailor shop on Deep Space Nine. During the investigation, it becomes clear that a conspiracy involving the Romaulans and Cardassians is in progress, with the intent of attacking the Founder's homeworld in the Gamma Quadrant.4

Garak briefly rejoins the Obsidian Order for the joint Cardassian/Romulan attack on the Founder's home world. The attack proves to be a trap, and the entire fleet is annhilated by the Jem'Fadar. Garak and Odo are able to escape.5

Dax, Garak, Odo and Sisko are returning from a conference to Deep Space 9 when their Runabout passes through a plasma field. The field causes Odo to involuntarily bind all four into a version of the great link, in which they experience an event that took place on Deep Space Nine in 2366, during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. They are eventually able to break free of the link.6

Chief O'Brien leads a teacm to Empok Nor, an abandoned Cardassian station of the same type as Deep Space Nine, in order to cannibalise it for spare parts. Whilst there, O'Brien's engineering crew is attacked by Cardassian agents who had been in hibernation on the station. Garak, under the influence of a Cardassian device which affects his mind, also attempts to kill O'Brien. The Chief is able to incapacitate Garak and defeat the Cardassian agents.8

Starfleet launches an operation to recapture Deep Space Nine. Captain Sisko leads a large Federation force, but this is bogged down battling a Dominion fleet. The Defiant breaks through and reaches Deep Space Nine just as the minefield is destroyed; Sisko convinces the Prophets to prevent Dominion reinforcements from coming through the wormhole. A joint Federation/Klingon force recaptures the station.11